Epiploic foramen entrapment of the large colon in a 9‐month‐old Thoroughbred filly

Abstract

SummaryA 9‐month‐old Thoroughbred filly was presented for colic of a few hours’ duration. Examination revealed tachycardia at 64 beats/min, and a colon displaced to the right with wall oedema on ultrasound. After an hour of intravenous fluid therapy, the filly became restless and exploratory laparotomy was performed. Impaction and incarceration of the large colon up to the caeco‐colic fold through the epiploic foramen (EF) were diagnosed. After evacuating the colonic contents through a pelvic flexure enterotomy, the EF entrapment (EFE) was reduced. The large colon appeared congested with a fragile serosa, serosal tear at its antimesenteric aspect, and amotile for the remainder of the surgery. Colon motility resumed as evidenced by ultrasonographic examination on the second day post‐surgery, and despite pasty diarrhoea, the filly made a complete and uneventful recovery and was alive at 6 months’ follow‐up. Epiploic foramen entrapment of the large colon is very rare but should be included as a differential diagnosis of colon displacements, even in young horses, requiring prompt surgical resolution.